The Second Task
He had woken up multiple times throughout the night, nervousness clawing at him, but every time Severus would hold him closer and stroke his hair until he was able to drift off once more. However, when he woke up to the alarm blaring around him, he wanted to vomit from the nerves.
He managed to stomach three bites of toast exactly before he gave up and just sipped at his glass of milk. He still had to go to the potions cupboard to grab the Gillyweed, having forgotten last night when trying to find his friends, but was stopped from doing this by the arrival of Remus and Sirius who immediately came over and wrapped him in a hug.
“Severus told us about Draco and Hermione somehow being part of the task. I’m sorry that you are having to do this.” Remus spoke after the two had released him.
“Do you know who has been taken from the other champions?” Sirius asked him.
“Not sure, although now that I think about it Draco will be mine and Hermione might be Krum’s. He and his classmates don’t really have any sort of bond and he did take her to the Yule Ball so that may be the connection. Cedric might have Cho since they started dating after the Ball. I don’t think Roger Davies would be Fleurs though, whenever we have studied together in the library she complained about how he only went with her to get bragging rights, for her it might be her little sister, they are really close.”
“Surely they wouldn’t bring a little girl into this, when I saw her in the great hall she looked to be about 10 or 11.” Remus looked outraged.
“I wouldn’t put it past them to put a 10 year old in the tournament. Gabrielle is only here because Fleurs parents were going to be really busy with their jobs in the ministry of magic over in France and didn’t want to leave Gabrielle alone with Fleur gone.”
“I really hate whoever thought this tournament was a good idea.” Sirius mumbled.
“With you on that one because I now need to go get my swimsuit on before sneaking into my dads potion cupboard to get Gillyweed for a tournament that starts in less than an hour because of a rule that says we can’t get help from teachers for our death tournament.” He ranted. “Now, I best be off because they wanted the champions there early. Thank you both for coming, I will spend more time with you after.”
“Wait before you go I brought something for you.” Sirius called him back handing a watch over to him. “It has a bunch of waterproof protections on it so you can track how much time you have left in the lake.”
“Thank you for this.” He said sincerely before saying another quick goodbye and leaving the quarters.
He arrived last to the champions tent once again, after having problems reaching the shelf with the Gillyweed on it, and once again like last time everyone was either pacing or staring into space. He simply went over to one of the beds and sat down twiddling with his thumbs, but he was surprised when Fleur came to join him.
“Has your boyfriend also been taken for the challenge. My little sister was called to the headmasters office and didn’t come back so that is what I am thinking happened.” Fleur asked him quietly.
“Yes both Draco and Hermione disappeared to the headmasters office last night.”
“I don’t like the thought of her being a part of this, and the fact it says if you don’t get them in time then they are lost makes me even more nervous.”
“I really don’t like that they have been brought into this against their will.”
“They are like you in that sense, and it makes me even more annoyed with the way you were forced into this.”
“I’m used to stuff like this by now, I just don’t want anyone else caught up in my drama.”
“Morning Champions, I am going to explain how this going to work then lead you out to the middle of the lake.” Ludo Bagman interrupted Fleurs response. “So, we will all take a boat out to the middle of the lake where the stands are and you will line up there. A canon will go off and only then may you enter the water and begin your search. You probably noticed that last night a person close to you was taken, these are the people you are to collect down at the bottom of the lake. If no one has any questions we best head off.”
They all piled into a boat shivering in the cold wind, all he had on where joggers and a T-shirt which he he had put on over his swimsuit. When the boat docked they got off and went over to the edge of the platform in front of the judges – this time however, instead of Crouch joining the other judges, Percy Weasley was sitting at the table – and took off there clothes (despite his top because he was not letting any of the school see the scars that lay beneath it). His swim shorts and T-shirt were definitely not appropriate for the February weather and he was waiting expectantly for the canon to go off just so he could move.
“Good luck Champions, the canon shall go off shortly so be prepared.” At Dumbledore’s announcement he took the Gillyweed out of his pocket and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing the slimy plant and swallowing it just in time for a loud blast to sound.
He dove into the water, the freezing temperature knocking the air out of his lungs but he didn’t worry on that too long because within the next minute there was excruciating pain in his hands, neck and feet. He stared in amazement as his feet elongated and became webbed, the same with his hands and once the pain died down he touch his neck gingerly finding a set of gills. He took a deep breath through his gills, the temperature not bothering him anymore, and dove down to start the task.
The water was murky and as he continued down it got even darker, and the weeds were getting thicker. He had no idea where he was heading to so he just continued down brushing the weeds out his face. Everything seemed eerily quiet and still, well that was until sharp fingers dug into his ankles. He turned round and came face to face with a pale green creature with sharp teeth and small horns. He recognised it from a lesson they had had with Remus last year, the creature was a grindylow but he was struggling to recall their weakness. The creatures nails were digging painfully into his skin as he desperately tried to recall Remus’s words.
“Grindylows are well known as water demons due to their aggression towards muggles and witches alike, the only creature who managed to domesticate them were the mermaids. If you ever find yourself in a fight with a Grindylow, the repulsion jinx will scare them off.” He replayed the lesson in his head over and over till he finally got that last sentence.
He fumbled with his wand, the webbed fingers making it rather tricky, before casting the charm. However, instead of words coming out his mouth a large bubble formed and a jet of boiling water escaped his wand and hit the creature causing angry red patches to erupt all over its skin. The creature thankfully let go of him and swam off, although the pain in his leg was still very much prevalent, he used this opportunity to swim away. He went horizontally this time wanting to get out of the weeds, and he was sure that if grindylows were hanging around the mermaids shouldn’t be far away.
His thinking had been right, as soon as he escaped the last of the weeds he entered an underwater village of sorts. There were stone houses littered everywhere and the paths between the houses all lead into a centre point where there was a large mermaid statue and above this were the champions lost people. However, what he was not expecting was how deserted the mermaids village was. It seemed too easy as he swam up to hover in front of the four victims being held down by ropes. Draco was on the end at the left, Hermione next, then Gabrielle and then Cho on the right end. He checked his watch, 48 minutes had passed somehow, and he was the first person to make it here. What if the others didn’t get here in time? He couldn’t just leave everyone down here. He swam round each person checking there ropes to see if it would be possible for him release them all.
Before he could decide on what to do, Cedric arrived next to him, tapped his watch before cutting the rope under Cho and swimming up. He desperately checked the time, 53 minutes. Where were the other champions? He couldn’t leave them here alone. He cast Diffindo at the rope under Dracos feet and held onto the blondes waist before pointing his wand at the rope under Hermione but he was stopped by something poking into his neck.
“You can only take one.” A voice rasped. He turned slightly to see a mermaid, it had greyish skin with long wild dark green hair with yellow eyes and teeth. It was terrifying, and with the pitch fork being held against his neck he knew the creature was not going to be kind to him but he had to try anyway.
“But she is my friend to, I can’t leave her down here in case her champion doesn’t arrive.”
“She isn’t your responsibility, you can only take him.” The mermaid reiterated.
“Alright, I will only take him.” He tried to placate the creature and it worked as soon enough he was left to hover there alone.
He wasn’t alone for long though because within seconds another animal was coming towards him but this one was even more terrifying. A shark was heading straight towards him but at the last second turned and bit through the rope under Hermione allowing him to see the human legs following behind the shark head. Krum had successfully reached Hermione meaning she would be safe giving him some relief. He looked over to where the young girl was left alone and then checked his watch. It had been 60 minutes exactly now, Fleur was too late and he knew he couldn’t leave Gabrielle down here alone.
He quickly cast diffindo at the rope under the girl and then accio so he could securely wrap his arms around her waist as well as Dracos and then he kicked as hard as he could with his webbed feet. He felt the mermaids tugging at his legs, pain blooming wherever there sharp nails or teeth pierced though his skin but he kept going needing to get both of them to safety. It was getting harder to breath and each of his kicks was getting less and less powerful as the Gillyweed time started to run out. Looking up he saw he was nearly at the surface so desperately wanting to get Draco and Gabrielle to the surface he pushed them up hard and in turn propelling himself further down into the mermaids hands. He was feeling weak from the oxygen deprivation but with the last of his energy he raised his wand up and called ‘Accendio’, shooting up to the surface leaving the mermaids shouting below him.
He coughed weakly as his head broke the surface and looked round seeing Draco and Gabrielle treading water close to him looking around confused but once Draco made eye contact with him the blondes eyes widened in realisation.
“Harry, are you ok? Can you manage to get over to us.” Draco called.
“Yes, think so.” He slowly managed to make his way over, more drowning horizontally than swimming but once he was near enough Draco supported him.
“Gabrielle, can you swim or do you need help as well?” Draco asked the scared girl gently.
“I can sort of swim but not well.”
“Ok try your best to get over to the platform but stay close to me and tell me if you need help.”
Draco managed to help both of them over, Gabrielle paddling gently beside them until they all reached the platform and were helped up by people standing at the edge.
“Gabrielle, oh thank merlin you are all right.” Fleur cried running over with a towel, bundling the little girl in it and hugging her tightly before turning to him. “Thank you so much for getting her, when I had to come up because of the Grindylow attack I was so worried for her.” Fleur kissed both his cheeks before excusing herself to take Gabrielle to Madam Pomfrey.
Severus was the next person to run over but thankfully he had two huge fluffy towels for them which he gladly wrapped himself in.
“What happened to you down there, you are covered in blood and cuts.” Severus asked worriedly looking him up and down.
“Grindylows and mermaids are not kind creatures.” He mumbled exhausted.
“Ok we need to get you to Madam Pomfrey, you can tell me all about this once you have been checked out.”
“Don’t I need to wait for the results?”
“No getting checked out is more important than that, also Dumbledore is talking to the mermaids right now then all the judges have to deliberate and then the results will come out so you have plenty of time before the scores are released to get let Madam Pomphrey have a look at these cuts.”
He allowed Severus to help him up and guide him over to Madam Pomfrey who looked angrily at all the gashes on him.
“I can’t believe this tournament is even a thing, this is barbaric.” She mumbled to herself while patching him up quickly. The wounds were gone in no time, there wasn’t even any scars left behind the only evidence he had been hurt was the blood staining his skin; he couldn’t wait to get to a shower to clean himself up. “Your all fixed up but take it easy tonight, even though you used Gillyweed it still isn’t a good thing for the human body to be deep underwater for that long. If you feel weird or unwell at anytime over the next couple days come see me, even if you think it’s nothing I don’t want to risk anything.”
“Don’t worry I will come to you if anything feels wrong or unnatural.” He promised the medi-witch who seemed placated by this meaning he was free to go for now and hopefully the scores were announced quickly because he wanted to get to warmth quickly.
“Champions, if you could all gather round for me please.” Dumbledore announced after a while longer of deliberation. “The judges have come to an agreement on everyone scores. So the champion to receive the highest score is Cedric Diggory who completed the task in 55 minutes by using the bubble head charm and he will receive 43 points giving him a total of 87 between the two tasks. The champion to receive the second highest score is Harry Potter who despite coming up last after 67 minutes was actually the first champion to reach the hostages with the use of Gillyweed , but due to his loyalty wouldn’t let any of the hostages be left behind alone. When Harry realised that Fleur had not come within the time he not only saved his own champion but also Fleurs despite the mermaids fighting back. Due to this we are going to award him 40 points giving him the joint total of 87 points. In third place was Viktor Krum who came up just 2 minutes after the time limit with the use of complex transfiguration, we have decided to award him 36 points giving him a total of 70 points and in fourth place is Fleur Delacour who also used the bubble head charm but due to an attack by Grindylows didn’t manage to finish the task. In the end we have decided to award Fleur 25 points giving her a total of 57 points overall. The champions will be given more information about the third task on a later date and every champion is still in the running to win so train hard everyone, but for now I think it is time to let you guys get back to the castle to get warm and dry.”
All the champions and there hostages sat silently shivering in the boat, too tired to even think about starting up a conversation. Even once the boat docked they just quietly got out the boat and walked up the hill towards the castle but the peace was disturbed once they made it to the top of the hill. At the edge of the forest there was a body slumped motionless against a tree, and after closer inspection they noticed it was Barty Crouch.
“What do we do?” Fleur asked quietly, shielding Gabrielle from the sight of the body.
“The next boat should have docked by now, we should head back and get a teacher.” Cedric took charge, they all agreed and headed back down the hill in their group.
Thankfully the next boat to dock was the one with Dumbledore, McGonagall, Severus, Karkaroff and Maxine in it.
“Sir, we need you to come help. Barty Crouch is by the edge of the forest and we are pretty sure he is dead.” Cedric said to Dumbledore as soon as they were close enough to be heard.
“We will all need to be in high alert then, we do not know if this was natural causes or an attack so we should be prepared for either, I suggest you all lead your students to their rooms and then keep them there. When the rest of the students come over they will be in packs so they shall be safe but I will also inform the other professors to keep a lookout in the corridors. I am going to go investigate Barty a bit further, and if anyone sees Moody anywhere send him over, he might be able to help as well.” Dumbledore ordered.
“Cedric and Cho, you come along with me I will drop yous off on the way to the tower with Hermione.” McGonagall shepherded the two and Hermione away while he, Draco and Severus followed suit, the foreign schools headed towards where respective boat and carriage were docked.
Once they had reached the quarters, they all relaxed a bit but they were still quite on edge with the unknown.
“Harry why don’t you go have a shower in my bathroom while Draco takes the main one, you can go join the inevitable party in the common room afterwards if you both wish.”
“I would rather stay here if that’s alright.” He said quietly. “Especially with what’s going on and with Remus and Sirius being here for one more night I would prefer to spend some time with them as well.”
“Of course that’s alright, it’s more than alright because it means I can keep an eye on you, Draco are you wanting to go back to the common room or do you want to spend the night here as well?”
“I want to stay here as well.”
“Alright go get cleaned up, I will search out warm pjs for you both and we can all just chill for tonight.”
By the time they were washed and dressed, Remus and Sirius had arrived at the quarters and they all sat down around the couches with hot chocolate and chatted about anything that didn’t involve the tournament. Eventually he was finding it nearly impossible to keep his eyes open and Draco was in a similar situation so they excused themselves to bed. He snuggled in close to the blond, chasing away the phantom cold still left from today and let himself drift off in the comfort of the others arms.